Be INFORMED

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Monday Night In Ferguson

Police officers react to the movements of a rowdy group of demonstrators during protests in reaction to the shooting of Michael Brown near Ferguson, Missouri August 18, 2014. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades at protesters in Ferguson, Missouri on M

Overnight, violence once again erupted in Ferguson, Missouri, as protests over the police killing of an unarmed teenager continued. And here's how it's being reported across America:

An evening of peaceful demonstrations in Ferguson, Mo., on Monday against the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown descended into another night of chaos with police coming "under heavy gunfire" and leading to the arrest of more than two dozen people.
And to be sure, among the thousands who have protested the killing of Michael Brown, there have been a few who are there for less than noble purposes. But the fact is, over and over it was clearly shown that there were instances of massive, disproportionate responses from the police. And too often, the media was not—could not—tell that story:
Officials established a media zone — an area designated by crime-scene tape — on West Florissant Avenue near the turmoil last week. The “pen” is designed to enable journalists to view officials’ response to the protesters and rioters, and to offer a central spot for news updates. Reporters were told they risked arrest if they left the designated area.

So, how is that official response reporting working out?

#Ferguson Capt Johnson just said to @JakeTapper 'we didnt use tear gas, just smokebombs'.Tapper: 'Yes you did,we got gassed'.Capt: ok we did
@sophiaponders

So, called out on lying once, but ...

Step outside of the media zone for some on the spot reporting from a residential neighborhood outside the protest area by TWiB's Elon James White, as he and his group are pinned down by police as tear gas and rubber bullets are flying. Says White:

Doesn't even look they're aiming it at protesters … they're just gassing neighborhoods ... It was like they were trying to exterminate roaches ... If they see a human being, they throw a gas canister.
You won't be reading that in USA Today.

Bottom line?

#Ferguson cops think everyone except for them is the problem. First protesters, then "outside agitators," now the media.
@NickBaumann

  Posted by Daily Kos Editors on Tue Aug 19, 2014

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